The Phoenix Suns are heading into the 2024 offseason with a core group of star players in place, including Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. The team is facing salary cap constraints and will likely need to rely on minimum signings to build a competitive roster around their stars. Despite being swept out of the first round of the playoffs last season, the Suns are hopeful that another year together and a new coach, Mike Budenholzer, will help turn things around. Additionally, the Suns own the No. 22 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, giving them an opportunity to add young, cheap talent to their roster.
Reports suggest that the Suns may be looking to trade down in the draft to acquire additional picks and assets. Phoenix is limited in draft capital and future assets after acquiring Durant and Beal, so trading down could provide them with more flexibility to make trades in the future. By moving down in the draft and picking up extra second-round picks, the Suns could add more rookie salaries to balance out their expensive roster and incoming luxury tax bill. This strategic move could help the Suns build a more well-rounded team while managing their financial constraints.
One player that the Suns have shown interest in is Bronny James, son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. While it wouldn’t make sense to select James at pick No. 22 based on his performance in college, acquiring additional picks through a trade down could increase the likelihood of the Suns selecting him. Only a few teams, including the Suns, have had the opportunity to work out James, leading to speculation that Phoenix may have him in their sights. Many industry insiders believe that James will be taken somewhere in the second round, and the Suns could be a good fit for him given their need for young, cheap talent on their roster.
The potential trade down in the draft and interest in Bronny James could signal a shift in the Suns’ draft plans. While nothing is certain until draft day, the Suns appear to be exploring all options to improve their roster and build for the future. Acquiring additional draft assets could help Phoenix address their salary cap issues and build a more competitive team around their star players. With the offseason approaching, all eyes will be on the Suns to see how they navigate the draft and make moves to strengthen their team for the upcoming season.
